For those not in the know, Eyran Records announces the release of master jazz pianist Eyran Katsenelenbogen’s highly anticipated new solo album, Outstandards.

Within this quite remarkable, ambient and yet at all times fluid and vibrant new album, pianist Eyran Katsenelenbogen presents jazzy renditions of classical cornerstones such as 'Für Elise' (Beethoven) and Mozart’s 'Piano Sonata in C major' alongside jazz classics such as 'Tea for Two' (Youmans / Caesar) and 'Cheek to Cheek' (Berlin).

Katsenelenbogen also revisits Chick Corea’s 'Armando’s Rhumba,' which was released on his CD Solotude in 2005 and delivers a rather intimate performance of 'Insensatez' (How Insensitive) (Jobim / De Moraes).

Furthermore, the piece 'Insensetaz' (How Insensitive) carries a special meaning for Katsenelenbogen and is dedicated it to his parents, in gratitude for their eternal love.

1. 'Libertango '
2. 'Für Elise'
3. 'Sonata No. 16 in C major K. 545: I. Allegro'
4. 'Prelude in C-sharp minor Op. 3, No. 2'
5. 'Hungarian Dance No. 5'
6. 'Cheek to Cheek'
7. 'Tea for Two'
8. 'Prelude in C minor, BWV 847 and Improvisation'
9. 'Armando's Rhumba'
10. 'Theme for Ernie'
11. 'Insensatez (How Insensitive)'
12. 'Chega de Saudade (No More Blues)'
13. 'The Windmills of Your Mind'
14. 'Just You, Just Me'

Katsenelenbogen opens with the vigorous 'Libertango' and backs that up seamlessly with both a quite stunning, frenetic rendition of 'Für Elise' quite like I've never heard before, and a free flowing, foot-tapping 'Sonata No. 16 in C Major K. 545: I. Allegro.'

The dulcet ambiance of the recurrent 'Prelude in C-Sharp Minor Op. 3, No. 2' slows things down, before Katsenelenbogen is back into his dynamic free fall on 'Hungarian Dance No. 5,' the melodic pairing of both 'Cheek to Cheek' and 'Tea for Two,' and then the cultured drive of 'Prelude in C Minor, BWV 847 and Improvisation.'

The atmospheric 'Armando's Rhumba' is also one of my own personal favorites here and that's followed by the perfected balladry of both 'Theme for Ernie,' and the nostalgia-tinged 'Insensatez (How Insensitive).'

This quite magnificent album then rounds out with the mid-tempo playfulness of 'Chega De Saudade (No More Blues),' the hauntingly memorable 'The Windmills of Your Mind,' and the comes to a close with the robust, yet sophisticated 'Just You, Just Me.'

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